With love, from Spain

The Spanish Extravaganza, a four-day gastro-cultural affair the city conducted with paella, flamenco and all things Spanish, will wind up today at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai, amidst sips of sangria and a rich view of the winter sea.

Part of an inter-country cultural exchange, the authentic dining experience travelled to Mumbai from Seoul and is now headed for Doha. En route, it encouraged Mumbaikars to discover how that their palates resonate with the zestful, earthy Mediterranean flavours, rustled up by a select entourage of Michelin-starred chefs, paella masters, tapas gurus and Spanish sommeliers.

The buffet granted access to dishes like Spinach, pine nuts, wild mushroom and courgette empanada; Lamb on kimchi, pistachio biscuit; Squid croquettes; and of course, tapas and paellas -- the latter presented in a range of flavours from the classic paella to variations with octopus, or pumpkin and coconut milk, and even Iberin pork and asparagus. Complete with flamenco dancers swaying to beats as alluring as the central 'dessert tree' decked with take-away chocolates, the experience was steeped in the high cultural verve that characterises both Spain and India.